Optics Blog

Spotting scopes for ...?

2008-07-23T08:45:00.000-05:00

We all know that spotting scopes are widely used for birding. We all know that spotting scopes are widely used for target shooting and hunting. We also know that spotting scopes are tyhe heart and soul of digiscoping. We may even know that spotting scopes can be used for long distance observation of scenery and horizons. Unless you are in the business of selling spotting scopes like I am, though, you may not know that some people buy spotting scopes to search for UFOs and extraterrestrials. How about a spotting scope to see if the fish are jumping out on a lake? Don't forget that sheriff trying to spot marijuana pickers in a rural area. Even had a gentleman buy a spotting scope to spy on his boss. Not a big deal as far as I am concerned. Always glad to help a customer.

Binocular and telescope quality time

2008-07-22T07:48:00.000-05:00

"Been too long for too long" is a good way to describe the last time I looked through a telescope or astronomy binocular under a truly dark sky. Just need to be patient, though. The day is coming when this gal and her bicycles, binoculars and telescopes will once again see the great wide open spaces out west, where she belongs and where her heart remains. In the meantime, I am grateful for all the wonderful natural areas I have at my disposal, right here in the northern Chicago suburbs, not to metion grateful for all the woderful friends I have, right here at OpticsPlanet. Just wish I could get everyone in the greater Chicago area to turn off their lights at night so I could have more quality time with my telescope and binoculars. You, too Milwaukee.

Clip on magnifiers

2008-07-21T07:40:00.000-05:00

Browsing through our OpticsPlanet site and was happy to see we carry some clip on magnifiers, such as the Carson Tymate and the Zeiss LC Both bring back wonderful memories of me in another life, tying tiny flies on the end of a 7x leader on a western trout stream. Yes, folks, I did a lot of fly-fishing way back when, but that's a long way from these local Chicago suburban ponds. Still, I've also found clip on magnifiers to be very useful for doing any fine detail work - I've used them for threading needles when I sew and I also found them handy when I helped my son-in-law with his model train layout. Sometimes, old eyes need all the help they can get.

Cheap triods

2008-07-17T07:25:00.000-05:00

As I work on article on tripods for our website, I am reminded of how important, but also how overlooked, this accessory is to many applications. Many beginners, when buying a spotting scope, a camera, or a giant binocular, tend to focus on the optics and add a tripod as an afterthought. Always a mistake. The tripod is every bit as important as the optic that goes on it. Makes no sense to spend big bucks to get high performance with a spotting scope, camera or observation binocular and lose that performance with a low quality tripod. It's a lesson learned very quickly when you struggle with a cheap tripod.

Big telescope for less

2008-07-16T07:38:00.000-05:00

The main factor in telescope performance for the faint stuff - nebulae, star clusters and galaxies - is the size of the lens or mirror, not all the gadgets and electronics that tend to get bolted to telescopes. Beginners sometimes forget this when choosing a telescope and, as a result, overlook one of the best and affordable designs in a serious telescope. I'm talking about a Dobsonian telescope and the Meade Lightbridge is a good example. Back in the old days, back before truss-tube Dobs such as the Lightbridge, I used an old Meade 10" Starfinder Dobsonian for all my serious deep-sky observing from a dark site and logged many wonderful hours, not to mention enough objects to fill a book. Big telescopes and big performance don't always come down to big bucks.

Binocular rules?

2008-07-15T06:44:00.000-05:00

Sometimes recommendations get repeated and passed around so often they acquire the weight and status of a rule or law. Good example is an astronomy binocular. Sure, if you are shopping for a binocular to use for astronomy, it only makes sense to get one with the appropriate features. Does that mean you cannot use a mid-size binocular or even a tiny monocular to look at the sky? Of course not. Any optical instrument will show you more in the night sky than you can see with your naked eye. For instance, I have shown people a view of the moon through my tiny 5x Nikon monocular and they are astounded to see craters. Even an 8x compact binocular will show Jupiter as a small round disc and, under a dark sky, even pick up some of Jupiter's brighter moons alongside, even though they will appear as nothing more than tiny dots. Guess what I am saying is to get outside with any optic you have on the next clear night and turn it skyward. You'll be amazed at what you can see.

Flash versus laser for astronomy

2008-07-14T08:02:00.000-05:00

Years ago, back when I was a volunteer tour guide at a local astronomy observatory, we used to use a flashlight with an adjustable beam to shine up in the sky to point out constellations and stars during our "tours" of the night sky. Later, when laser pointers appeared, we quickly replaced the flashlight with the laser pointer - better precision with the laser pointer and more user friendly to dark adapted eyes. Laser pointers, though, can be expensive and in some areas, around airports, for instance, their use may be restricted. As a former science teacher in a small rural school, I also know what it's like to operate on a threadbare budget, so if a laser pointer is not in the budget, just borrow or buy a flashlight with an adjustable beam. Either item is a great learning and teaching tool for astronomy.

Learn about telescopes

2008-07-10T07:27:00.000-05:00

I do my best to help beginners who want to learn astronomy, but there are times when there is no substitute for standing with someone next to a telescope to show them how to use it. Obviously, I can't do that, but what every beginner can do is to visit a local astronomy club. Every astronomy club I have joined has outings that are open to the public. Walking up and down a line of telescopes, visiting with astronomers of every kind is the quickest way I know to learn both astronomy and telescopes. Best of all, astronomers are almost universally willing to help a beginner. To me, sharing has always been part of the fun.

Spotting scopes need mud

2008-07-09T07:28:00.000-05:00

Kind of hurts, knowing that a birder, somewhere, is looking through a spotting scope at shorebirds, right this very instant, and I am not. As a lifelong and passionate birder, I have to say that the Chicago area has been great for so many bird groups, but not for shorebirds. Warbler and forest songbirds, yes, some waterfowl and even waders, yes. Shorebirds, though, no. As always, finding birds is a matter of the right habitat and my neck of the Chicago suburbs does not have the exposed mudflats that bring shorebirds. Guess stinky mud is not appreciated here in the suburbs. Go figure.

Binocular and telescope treasure

2008-07-08T07:25:00.000-05:00

One of the best weekends, ever, for astronomy, here in the Chicago suburbs, even with all the fireworks on the 4th. It's been a long time since I've been able to do some astronomy with my binocular or telescope two nights in a row. Wow! I was especially pleased to see the constellation Cassiopeia edging its way upward in the sky. It's a favorite area of the sky for me with both easy and challenging open clusters for binoculars and it means that Perseus and Andromeda are not far behind. That area is a treasure trove of objects for both binoculars and telescopes.

Jupiter telescopes and binoculars

2008-07-07T07:19:00.000-05:00

Jupiter is now what I call a bedtime object. It is high enough in the sky to provide a decent view in a telescope just about the time most folks are going to bed. Look for it in the southeast. This summer, it won't get too high above the horizon, so it won't show as much detail as in other years, but still worth a look, even in a binocular. I like to use my astronomy binoculars to watch Jupiter's four largest moons trade places, night by night. Even a small telescope can show cloud belts and more on a good night. Jupiter, along with Saturn, are the two best planets for beginning astronomers. Enjoy.

Vixen telescope mounts for a beginner

2008-07-03T08:05:00.000-05:00

Too many beginning astronomers buy a cheap telescope and give up after one or two nights under the stars. The big culprit in this scenario is typically a poor mount, not the optics. A lot of cheap telescopes actually have useable optics. The telescope mounts, though, are almost universally bad and without a good mount, the best telescope optics are useless. It is sometimes hard to convince a beginner of this fact when they are shopping for their first telescope, but it really is worth saving to get a telescope on a good mount. One of my favorite series of beginner telescopes, for this very reason, is the A series of Vixen telescopes. These come with the very useable Porta mount, which is actually good enough to keep when a beginner has outgrown their smaller refractor. Good job, Vixen.

China binoculars and spotting scopes

2008-07-02T08:53:00.000-05:00

A lot of folks have issues with products made in China for various reasons, but as far as optical quality goes, you cannot make blanket statements, anymore, about the quality of optics made in China. Sure, still a lot of junk being made in China, but some good binoculars, such as the Nikon Monarch and spotting scopes, too. For instance, I really like what I have seen with the Vortex Skyline spotting scope and the Nikon Prostaff spotting scope. No, they are not in the same class as premium spotting scopes from Europe and Japan, but, then, neither are they priced like premium spotting scopes from Europe and Japan. For most applications, these spotting scopes may be all you ever need.

Birding this weekend

2008-07-01T07:18:00.000-05:00

A rare weekend for me - no binocular, camera or spotting scope used. Ouch! On Saturday, had to ride my bike down through 23 miles of traffic into the city for an appointment and, along the way, dodged heavy rain and hail, not to mention gale force winds. Sunday was a music day for me. Rocked them at the church with some hot blues harp (harmonica), then played music all afternoon at the park with a friend. Not to worry, though. With the long weekend, ahead, I will be doing some serious birding.

Choosing a telescope help

2008-06-30T08:15:00.000-05:00

Choosing a telescope can be a daunting ordeal for a beginner. First, there are so many optical types of telescopes. Next you add different types of mounts. Computerized or manual? Where does a beginner start? That's why I wrote articles on this topic for our website. All are written with the beginner in mind. First stop, How to choose the right telescope, then on to Telescope FAQs for a review on how to use a beginner telescope. Also must reading is the A Dozen Telescope Observing Tips For Beginners. Where you observe can great influence your choice of telescope

Spotting scope and shorebird season

2008-06-26T08:12:00.000-05:00

In the birding world, shorebird fans like me know that migration for shorebirds is not like other groups. Shorebirds actually begin appearing in serious numbers as early as July and really get going in August. The trick is to find a marsh with the right water conditions, or, should I say, mud conditions. Mud flats are where you find most shore birds. I've been scouting my local marshes, but so far, all are filled to the brim with water, meaning no mud. Really no need to drag the spotting scope along until I find a good spot, but I suspect I will start carrying a spotting scope as much out of tradition, as anything. Really wouldn't be a summer for me without a spotting scope and shore birds. I will be out there, shorebirds or not.

DEET on your binocular

2008-06-25T07:41:00.000-05:00

Been a perfect breeding season for mosquitoes, so just a reminder to all those folks out there using repellents. Formulas containing DEET can ruin the finish on a binocular, spotting scope, camera or any valuable optic and even make some armored surfaces tacky. DEET, in fact, can make a good paint remover if used in concentrated form. No denying the effectiveness of DEET, but when using binoculars and spotting scopes, I am always careful to use non-DEET repellents. I am currently using a lemon Eucalyptus formula that is moderately effective and harmless to finishes. Most such plant based repellents I have tried seem compatible for use with optics.

Bats in my telescope

2008-06-24T07:33:00.000-05:00

Moving past full moon, now, so time for summer observing with the astronomy binocular or telescope. I do love summer astronomy, but it tends to keep me up late, especially since the lights of a nearby tennis court don't go off till 10:00 PM. Just another headache we urban astronomers have to endure, I guess. Still, it is fun watching the bats dip into the light beams over the tennis court to catch insects. Not as much fun as seeing my beloved open star clusters in a binocular or telescope, but the bats are not complaining.

Love that monocular

2008-06-23T08:36:00.000-05:00

If I had to rate an optic as the most useful, based on how often I carry it, I would have to nominate my monocular. No, my Nikon 5x15HG will not do the job of a binocular, even a compact, but, like any monocular, it is small enough to always be there for me. Have used it for some impromptu birding, wildlife watching, navigating in the city to read street signs and spot stores of interest in large shopping complexes. I have even turned it upside down and used it as a magnifier to study rocks and insects. All this in something the size of my thumb. Where is your monocular?

Go light spotting scopes

2008-06-19T09:37:00.000-05:00

Seems that spotting scopes are getting heavier as I get older. There was a day when I lugged the big 80mm spotting scopes over my shoulder, sometimes all day and now I have a dent in my shoulder to prove it. That's why I dropped down to 60mm and 65mm spotting scopes, a few years ago. Going lighter on the scope has also allowed me to go lighter on a tripod. Net result is that I carry a spotting scope more than ever, now, and can even pack spotting scope and tripod on my bicycle. Better to go light than not go at all.

Spotting scope class

2008-06-18T07:17:00.000-05:00

Will be conducting a class on spotting scopes for our employees, this week - one of my favorite job duties. How can such relatively simple optical instrument like a spotting scope generate so many product questions, not to mention so many unrealistic expectations? I get customers, daily, who expect to identify a person's face at a distance of 5 miles or expect to point a spotting scope skyward and see detail on the space station. Spotting scopes are wondrous optical instruments, but they cannot work miracles. While frustrating, this sort of thing also insures my job security.

Summer traingle for Meade Mysky

2008-06-16T15:08:00.000-05:00

Summer is a great time to test drive a sky computer, such as the Meade Mysky Personal Sky Exploration Guide . That summer triangle of bright stars, Deneb, Altair and Vega, is directly overhead, easy for you to see and easy targets for a sky computer. Planets are a bit tougher and you will need to stay up late to catch Jupiter, low in the southeast. Your My sky will show you which one. After you've identified any of these targets with your MySky, get the telescope out for a closer look in the neighborhood for star clusters, double stars and other deep-sky objects. Summer nights are made for observing and telescopes.

Binocular, camera, monocular - choices, choices

2008-06-16T07:59:00.000-05:00

Commuting and traveling on a bike has some rewards that few motorists get to enjoy. This morning, as I pedaled through the Forest Preserve, I was treated to the sight of a doe and a fawn. The doe stepped, nervously, across the trail, a bare ten yards from me, followed shortly by a spindly legged fawn. The doe made it know that she would brook no nonsense from me and, being a good mother, backtracked and helped the fawn cross the trial, all the while keeping one eye on me. Oh, where was my camera? It's getting to the point where I can't decide what equipment to carry when biking - binocular, digital camera, monocular, even spotting scope? My bike jersey only has so many pockets.

Binocular and telescope locations

2008-06-12T07:14:00.000-05:00

Had a birthday last week and I am now old enough (late 50s) to be thinking ahead to retirement. It's going to be a matter of finding a location that offers dark skies for my astronomy binoculars and telescopes, access to a great marsh, specifically, and a lot of different habitats, in general, for my birding and, last, but not least, a large network of bicycle trails and routes. Also, no heavy traffic or congestion. Cold and snow are okay, though - I enjoy winter and love to bicycle in the snow. Now taking applications for any area that needs a crazy woman birder, star loving, biker chic.

Mud for spotting scopes

2008-06-11T07:29:00.000-05:00

Dodged storms all weekend on the bicycle, so not as many miles or as much birding as usual. That's just the our Chicago area climate doing its early summer thing, so I take it in stride. I am hoping, though, that things dry out a little, later this summer, so we get some exposed mud flats to attract some shorebirds. Haven't had the right conditions in a couple of years, now, to see a lot of these spotting scope class birds, so me and my spotting scope are getting anxious. My idea of a great birding day is a mudflat filled with shorebirds, a spotting scope and a comfortable chair (I am getting older).